A high-ranking Rhode Island lawmaker who has used drug imagery to criticize his colleagues has himself been busted on drug charges.

According to the Norwich Bulletin, State Rep. Robert Watson, the Republican House Minority Leader, was stopped at a police checkpoint in East Haven, Connecticut on Friday. Police said there was a "strong odor of marijuana" coming from Watson's car.

Watson was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and driving under the influence. He was released on a promise to appear in court.

In a statement on Monday, Watson admitted that police discovered "trace evidence" of marijuana, but he insisted he wasn't driving under the influence.

Speaking in February about illegal immigration, Watson put himself in the center of controversy when he said state lawmakers had their priorities right "if you are a Guatemalan gay man who likes to gamble and smokes marijuana."